BROUGHT TO YOU BY
Members of Connect: Professional Women’s Network share how to work
with over-attentive managers without losing your cool—or your job.
How to Manage a Micromanager

©2012 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Figure out what you’re up against. “There‟s a difference
between someone with high standards and a micromanager. The
person with high standards will give you autonomy as you prove
yourself. The micromanager will never let up. Determine which type
of manager you have, and work together to meet their expectations.”
Kaitlin McCafferty, Director of Marketing

Assess the situation. “With some, it‟s a control thing.
Sometimes it‟s trust. Sometimes the manager is being
micromanaged. Sometimes they‟re incompetent and fear being
discovered. The key is figuring out if you can change the situation,
and if you can‟t, can you still accomplish your personal goals.”
Sue Powers, Healthcare Analyst

Agree on how to communicate. “Start by
asking, „How do you want to be kept informed?‟ A boss once
told me, „I'm a reader, but you treat me like a listener. You pop
in and tell me what's going on and then run off and take care
of it. I'd prefer a quick email that I can read and digest.‟”
Patricia Polanco Licata, President, Ocean Road Consulting

And then…overcommunicate! “Update the
manager on your progress regularly. This may be weekly,
daily or even hourly. Include details like what you‟ve done, the
next steps, issues and how you‟ve solved them, any
questions and when you‟ll report back next.”
Earlene Biggs, VP Market Research

Ask thoughtful questions. “This will help your manager express
what they‟re most anxious about. Then you can make a plan of action
together that will reassure them, while giving you the space you need to
accomplish the task successfully. It can also help to point out what tasks
you ARE handling well and focus on your progress.”
Loni Sharon, Executive Assistant

Negotiate a schedule. “After you‟re given something to do, confirm the
deadline. Then, agree on a timeline for updates. If your manager insists on
checking in incessantly, tell him or her what you just did in the last minute or so,
but make it clear that you‟re prepared to talk more at the agreed time. Insist on
reinforcing the timeline to maintain boundaries.”
Donna Shepherd, Trade Completion Analyst

Stay one step ahead. “I successfully worked for a
micromanager for over 10 years. In the morning, I would let him
know what I was working on that day. Then I‟d show him progress
in the afternoon and again at the end of the day. Because he
could count on me to keep him in the loop, he loosened his grip.”
Joy Marcus, Creative Director

Manage up. “Take projects-in-progress to them and
have them course-correct before you finish. Anticipate
their needs. I knew my micromanager boss would ask for
an update first thing every morning, so I‟d send an email
update as the last thing I left before the end of the day.”
Christi Smith, Product Manager

Do it their way. “The best way to deal with a
micromanager is to ask how the person likes things
done. Most everyone has a pattern of doing things.
Figure out his or her pattern, and do the work that
way.”
Cynthia Jones, HR Manager

Ask for input. “Sincere requests for their input make them feel respected.
They‟ll be reassured that you‟re doing what you need to do and that you care about
their opinion. Eventually, this can stop incessant micromanaging—at least with you!”
Holly Girgin, Large Accounts Manager

Be willing to change. “The thing we want most is for the micromanager
to change—and the possibility of that is slim to none. Instead, I‟ve learned to
change my response to the situation. As I change, the manager can no longer
respond the same way. Shifts start occurring in the relationship. They may be
slow, but they‟re better than a stalemate.”
Kate DiMaio, Senior Executive Assistant

Play a supporting role. “Understand your
manager‟s business commitments and what his superiors
require of him. Then figure out how you can support his
goals. Be totally transparent in your goal to make him
successful.”
Laura Lee Rose, Author, TimePeace: Making Peace With Time

Look inward. “When I‟m feeling the pinch, I take inventory of my work.
„Am I doing my best on this project? Is there anything I can do differently? Am I
completing it in the most efficient way possible?‟ This helps me determine
whether or not the micromanaging is warranted. If it is, I listen and learn. If it‟s
not, I trust my work and remind myself this is just my manager‟s personality.”
Cynthia Foshee, Processor

©2014 LinkedIn Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
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